Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Cruise

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23 days

from £11,895pp (excluding flights)

For those who can afford the time, this 20 day cruise combining The Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica is the ultimate trip in terms of sheer variety and 'wow' factor, and without fail annually attracts glowing reports from all past travellers.

An unparalleled cruise combining the history and variety of The Falklands, the extraordinary wildlife of South Georgia and finishing with the 'jewel in the crown' - Antarctica

Privileged opportunity to see a range of wildlife including birds, whales, penguins and seals

Visit Ernest Shackleton's grave on South Georgia, learn about and follow in the footsteps of the brave explorers

Travel aboard a small ice-strengthened vessel, renowned for their excellent guides and expeditionary feel.

The first stop on this incredible journey will be the Falkland Islands, home to an astonishing and very tame diversity of wildlife. These windswept and isolated islands have over 60 species of breeding birds including the black-browed albatross. Perhaps the most famous birds on the Falklands are the penguins which easily out number humans. Find the magellanic, gentoo, macaroni, rockhopper and king penguin. Fur and elephant seals and sea lions can also be found breeding on the many beaches of these islands, occasionally leopard and Ross seals can be seen.

South Georgia on the other hand is altogether different and harsher, with 3,000 metre towering mountains. The majority of the island is covered in snow, ice and glaciers even in the summer. The real highlight of this island is the abundance of wildlife, there are over 50 million seabirds, 5 million seals and nearly 4 million penguin pairs. Visiting the extraordinary king and macaroni penguin colonies, watching the aerobatics of the wandering albatross and observing beaches crowded with elephant and fur seals are all memorable experiences. During the time on South Georgia also pay a visit to the graves of the great explorers Shackleton and Wild.

The third and final area to visit on this voyage is the Antarctic Peninsula, with icebergs in every size, shape and shade of blue. Marine life such as humpback, minke and orca whale can be seen and again more time can be spent watching the fascinating penguin colonies. Days will be spent in small groups with expert guides visiting a number of landing sites, dependant on weather conditions. Opportunities exist to set foot on Antarctica during walking excursions, sail in the icy waters during zodiac trips and for the adventurous get up close to icebergs in sea kayaks. Whatever time in the season there is never a bad time to visit this remote, other worldly and truly unique continent.

For a more detailed itinerary with great ideas on what to do and where to stay, please get in touch with our experts.

PLEASE NOTE THE COST SHOWN INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS DEPARTING FROM THE UK, BASED ON AN APPROXIMATE AIR FARE. PLEASE ASK YOUR TRAVEL EXPERT FOR AN ACCURATE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT QUOTE. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS DEPARTING FROM THE UK ARE ATOL PROTECTED.

Itinerary at a glance

Day at Leisure with Optional SightseeingFree day to explore Buenos Aires. Here are some of the best ways to spend your time in this vibrant city:- Learn to tango in one of the city's famous milongas (dance halls)- Linger over a martini in the opulent surroundings of the Alvear Palaces lobby bar;- Watch a game of polo involving some of the world's leading players;- Check out the trendy bar and restaurant scene in hip Palermo Viejo;- Explore the riverside suburb of Tigre and cruise the waterways of the Delta;- Experience gaucho culture and traditional rural life on a Pampas estancia;- Make a day trip by ferry across the Plata River to explore the charming UNESCO town of Colonia in Uruguay.Known as 'The Paris of Latin America', Buenos Aires is quite simply one of the world's greatest cosmopolitan cities. World class museums and leading restaurants jostle for space with boutique shops and antique markets, and the colonial architecture and cobbled streets of San Telmo contrast with the modern lines and waterfront designs of up and coming Puerto Madero. It is a city with a colourful and fascinating history, which has given rise to a variety of neighbourhoods from the uber trendy Palermo Soho to the bohemian charm of La Boca, the birth place of tango.

Situated on the southern shore of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia is the most southerly town in the world. Founded in 1884, the town was a penal colony until 1947. The location is fantastic, with views over the Beagle Channel and across to the Chilean Island of Navarino. Ushuaia can be either the jump off point for Antarctic cruises or the base from which to explore Tierra Del Fuego National Park and The Beagle Channel.

Travel Across the Southern Ocean Towards the Falkland IslandsMorning at leisure before embarking on the expeditionary boat in the afternoon. Plan to be on deck as the ship sets sail on the scenic Beagle Channel towards the Falkland Islands.

Southern OceanCruise these wildlife-rich waters, the expedition staff introduce the various species of birds and marine life that maybe encountered on the voyage. Wandering, Black-browed and Sooty Albatross, shearwaters, Giant and Cape Petrels and numerous other seabirds.

Spend Two Days Around the Falkland IslandsSpend these days in the Falkland Islands, renowned for their amazing wildlife. On Carcass Island highlights include Flightless Steamer Ducks, Magellanic and Gentoo Penguins and a colony of the rare Black-crowned Night Herons. Peale's and Commerson's Dolphins are often seen along the coast. Nearby New Island boasts fantastic Rockhopper Penguin rookeries, along with Black-browed Albatross and Blue-eyed Shags. Also explore Stanley, the charming capital of the Falklands (Malvinas).

Two Days Travelling from the Falklands to South GeorgiaContinuing east, marine mammals and seabirds can be seen from the decks during the crossing of the Antarctic Convergence, a biological barrier where cold polar waters sink beneath the warmer waters of the more temperate zones.

Spend the Next Four Days Around South GeorgiaSharing many of the biological characteristics of Antarctica, South Georgia has awe-inspiring scenery with towering, 7,000-foot mountains and mighty glaciers, but also low-lying, grassy areas, deep fjords and beaches. First sighted by Captain James Cook in 1775, the island attracts an astounding concentration of wildlife and is viewed by many as one of the most inspiring places on earth. Thousands of King Penguins are found at Salisbury Plain where rugged snow-covered mountains and glaciers provide a backdrop for this marvellous scene.

Wandering Albatrosses nest at Prion Island, where tussock grass provides a habitat for a variety of seabirds - and camouflage for thousands of breeding fur seals. Huge elephant seals and a substantial number of King and Gentoo Penguins crowd the beaches along the coast at places such as Gold Harbour while Light-mantled and Sooty Albatrosses nest in the cliffs behind.

South Shetland Islands and Antarctic PeninsulaApproaching the rugged South Shetland Islands, first landfall could be Elephant Island where Shackleton's men found refuge during the epic 'Endurance' expedition. Places such as King George Island or Livingston Island support huge numbers of nesting penguins while seabirds nest in the cliffs and elephant seals wallow along the shores. Deception Island is still considered an active volcano and sailing through the narrow passage into its huge, flooded caldera is a thrilling experience.

The Antarctic Peninsula is the most easily accessible part of the White Continent but it also has some of the most awe-inspiring scenery and a rich variety of wildlife. This itinerary offers ample time for exploring this wilderness region that few people have ever visited. Sailing around the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, aim to navigate the Antarctic Sound, often referred to as "iceberg alley". Huge tabular icebergs drift north from the Antarctic continent. Pending weather and ice conditions it may be possible to land on Paulet Island. This crater island is carpeted with nesting Adélie Penguins that surround the remains of a primitive hut where Captain Larsen and his men of the 'Nordenskjöld' expedition sought refuge in 1903.

Cruising Palmer Archipelago several thousand Gentoo Penguins wait under the dramatic cliffs of Cuverville and Rongé Islands. Sheathbills, Antarctic Terns, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest in this area. Navigating the Neumayer Channel, extraordinary vistas of Anvers Island can be seen. Plans also include a landing at Port Lockroy where bleached whale bones commemorate its time as a favourite anchorage of the whalers. Sail into Paradise Harbour on the Danco Coast where a series of huge glaciers flow into quiet waters.

Zodiacs travel along rugged cliffs with nesting Cape Petrels, Blue-eyed Shags and Kelp Gulls. Keep watch for humpback whales and groups of crabeater seals on the ice and land at Almirante Brown, an Argentine research station located on the continent. Lemaire Channel is another narrow passage between towering rock faces and stunning glaciers. This channel is one of the highlights of a visit to the Antarctic Peninsula but it can be choked with icebergs and pack ice. The boat will also attempt to land at Petermann Island where Adélie and Gentoo Penguins, skuas and Blue-eyed Shags nest close to the landing site.

John Faithfull, Travel Expert

"Personalised service. Seemed to really want to get it right for us. Very impressed when I first called and John spent 40 minutes finding out what we wanted to do and tailoring it for us."

"The expertise that John has really gave us faith in where we were going, the regions, the hotels, the trips. John knew about it all, he described them in detail, and when we asked for different regions he was straight in there with suggestions and ideas. The way the whole trip was planned and presented to us, never any pressure to book or any problem to change plans /ideas."

"John Faithful was wonderfully helpful and conscientious in arranging the itinerary and was always ready to suggest alternatives or rearrange matters without any hesitation; this and his detailed knowledge gave one great confidence."

Sue Grimwood, Travel Expert

"It was tremendously helpful to be able to speak to someone who had been to Antarctica before - Sue had been on the ship we had booked, so was able to give us some very useful information. We felt that at every stage of the booking process that we were in safe hands. "

""I was uncharacteristically worried about this trip - neurotic some might say - and I was given 110% support and help with everything. I had been disappointed by not being able to get a space on the 2014 trip and so Sue was stuck with me for 2 years - a testament to her patience and professionalism. I was confident in Sue - she knows Antarctica and speaks from experience, that is worth a huge amount. Emails, which I would send were responded to almost immediately.""